Bryce Miller: Bite-sized summaries of a busy Fourth of July weekend

Count former Iowa basketball player Luke Recker among those impressed at the potential of current Hawkeye Jarrod Uthoff, pictured. 'He's special. He hasn't played in two years, so he's even stronger and better,' Recker said of Uthoff.

As the smell of fireworks lingers in the Iowa air - some legal, some not so much - it's a chance to see what sports topics are hiding behind the haze.

We'll put down the lighters, burgers and, uhm, beverages long enough for a quick sprint around the world of baskets, bobsleds and much more ...

? IRISH EYES ... ER, IDs: The Xs-and-Os steering wheel of the Boston Celtics has been handed to Butler coach Brad Stevens. His college credentials - back-to-back national title games (2010-11), 26 or more wins in five of his six seasons - capably defend themselves.

The question that nags at me, though, when thinking about the 36-year-old who actually looks younger than 36 ...

Will it be possible for Stevens to command the sidelines for the most tradition-rich franchise in the NBA like Bill Fitch? K.C. Jones?Red Auerbach? Can you imagine Stevens puffing away at one of Auerbach's victory cigars as a cloud the size of Brookline hovers around his head? For that matter, can you imagine him buying a cigar without being carded?

I hope it works out, though. It would be nice to see a college coach successfully make the jump, proving the NBA can be about smart tacticians as much as star- and ego-managing.

? LOLO STOMPS TRACK BRAKES: It's interesting that Lolo Jones ended her track season after a third-place finish Thursday in the 100-meter hurdles during a Diamond League race in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Jones, who also competed on the U.S. 4x400-meter relay team that was disqualified after a handoff issue involving her leadoff leg, has decided to focus full time on bobsled.

The original plan, according to an interview by the website Flotrack.org, was to stick with the track schedule. Jones, however, said bobsled coaches want her to focus on training with them as the U.S. begins to determine team members for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

The best part of the interview, though: Jones was informed that Harry "Bubby" Lyles, a Georgia State student in Atlanta (according to Twitter/Facebook profiles), has reached the 150,000 re-tweet threshold agreed on by Jones to qualify for a date.

When told Lyles was going to hit 150,000, she asked two important questions: One, is he old enough? Two, would she go the "make the guy pay" route? For the record, Jones said she'll pick up the tab.

? HIGH PRAISE FOR UTHOFF: Former Iowa and Indiana basketball player Luke Recker said there are a range of reasons for Hawkeye fans to be optimistic about next season.

He said there's no bigger one, though, than Jarrod Uthoff.

Recker, who lives with his family in Coralville, said the Wisconsin transfer is an immediate difference-maker.

"Uthoff, he's going to be really, really good," Recker said. "I had friends from Madison (Wis.) when I played overseas, and my wife is from there. So I was around Madison a lot, and everyone I talked to said he was the best player on the floor in practice when he redshirted.

"He's special. He hasn't played in two years, so he's even stronger and better."

? THE PUIG QUESTION: Philadelphia pitcher Jonathan Papelbon said the idea of Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Yasiel Puig making the National League All-Star Team was "an absolute joke."

Puig has played a month, basically, after starting the season in the minor leagues- but is hitting an other-earthly .430.

You don't keep the best story out of the All-Star game. Entering Friday, Puig had 114 at-bats, which isn't an insignificant sample. Play him.

? WIMBLEDON, UP CLOSE: I've got to admit a new appreciation for Wimbledon after visiting Centre Court last August. I toured the intergalactic tennis epicenter after covering the 2012 Olympics for the Des Moines Register.

The history seems to seep out of everything, down to each blade of immaculately manicured grass. It's tough to imagine how it would feel when packed with fans, strawberries, cream and all.

It must have been special to be there Friday, as Novak Djokovic survived a nearly 4 hour, 45-minute marathon with Juan Martin del Potro - the longest men's semifinal in tournament history.

? THAT SMILE TO THE WEST: Is anyone having a better hoops postseason than Creighton coach Greg McDermott?

First, the former Northern Iowa and Iowa State coach was able to keep all-America son, Doug, in the Bluejays lineup for one more season after considering a move to the NBA. Then, Grant Gibbs is granted a sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA.

That should Creighton's transition to the Big East a little more doable, huh?

Now, back to our regularly scheduled fireworks - hopefully not involving a grill.

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Bryce Miller: Bite-sized summaries of a busy Fourth of July weekend

As the smell of fireworks lingers in the Iowa air ? some legal, some not so much ? it's a chance to see what sports topics are hiding behind the haze.